England Women cruised to an eight-wicket victory against New Zealand in their first 50-over international in more than a year.
Tammy Beaumont (71) and captain Heather Knight (67 not out) fired the tourists to the winning target in just 33.4 overs, having skittled out their hosts for 178 at Christchurch's Hagley Oval.
The victory puts England 1-0 up in the three-match series.
An excellent team performance 😍 What's your message to these two? pic.twitter.com/sChQsY2KIF — England Cricket (@englandcricket) February 23, 2021
England, back in action in the ODI arena for the first time since playing Pakistan in December 2019, lost the toss.
New Zealand elected to bat, but despite being deprived of Anya Shrubsole's services – sidelined from the tour with a knee injury – England were soon on the front foot after Tash Farrant and Katherine Brunt both struck inside the opening 10 overs.
Hayley Jensen provided New Zealand with some hope after she claimed her first maiden ODI half-century, but her dismissal by Sarah Glenn left the hosts on a precarious 94 for four.
Brooke Halliday registered 50 from 54 deliveries in her first ODI appearance before she was the last woman dismissed – run out by Danni Wyatt – with the White Ferns' innings ending after 45.1 overs.
The perfect start 👏🏴 A confident 8-wicket victory at Hagley Oval puts us 1-0 up in the ODI series! Scorecard: https://t.co/NI05mSnmmo#NZvENG pic.twitter.com/8ldqt1pb59 — England Cricket (@englandcricket) February 23, 2021
In reply, Wyatt's wicket fell in the eighth over after she registered 17.
But Beaumont and Knight steadied the ship, with the former making 50 from 67 balls – her 10th ODI half-century – before she was caught behind off Lea Tahuhu's delivery.
Knight then reached her 20th ODI 50 in 58 balls, with Nat Sciver (21no) hitting the match-winning boundary in a crushing triumph for the tourists.
The sides will meet in Dunedin on Friday with England bidding to take an unassailable 2-0 lead.
